Trailers

ABSTRACT

The combination of a trailer with a lifting mechanism and one or more relatively large containers for receiving agricultural produce and which, when empty, can be stacked one in the other. The lifting mechanism comprises a pair of parallelogram rod systems which extend from either side of the trailer and are pivotable relative thereto, a shaft connecting the upper ends of the rod systems for supporting engagement means adapted to connect to pins which extend from the upper rims of the containers whereby when such connection is made, a single container or a plurality of stacked containers can be loaded or unloaded from the trailer or stacked containers on the trailer by pivoting the lifting mechanism. The engagement means may be selectively affixed to its supporting shaft for maintaining the containers at a desired inclination throughout the loading or unloading cycle irrespective of their center of gravity. The containers may be provided with a pouring spout and tipped by the lifting mechanism to cause material therein to pour out of same.

United States Patent van der Lely 1 1 Sept. 9, 1975 1 1 TRAILERS [76]Inventor: Cornelius van der Lely, 7, m Ew'ir wr Fmnk Werner BruschanrainZug Switzerland Assistant Exununer-Lawrence J1 Oresky Attorney, Agent orFirm-Mason. Mason & Albright [22] Filed: Nov. 1, 1974 211 Appl. No:520,136 1 1 ABSTRACT Related US. Application Data [60] Continuation ofSer. No. 301,799. Oct 3() 1972. abandoned. which is a division of Scr.No 81589. Oct. 21, 1971) Pat. No 3,701,443.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct 2L 1969 Netherlands .4("1915852 [52] US. Cl 1. 214/317; 212/145 [51] Int. Cl B60p 1/48 158]Field of Search 214/77 R, 77 P. 302, 307, 214/313, 315, 316, 317, 318;220/97 C; 294/67 DA [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2.386.216 10/1915 Ha) 214/77 R 2.656.058 1U/1953 Footem, ii 214/77 R2.729.350 1/1956 Wilson U 214/313 2.744.642 5/1956 Sewell ct 211.11..214/313 3 171.557 3/1965 De Bosredon... 214/313 3.513.997 5/1970 Heycrct a1, H 214/77 R The combination of a trailer with a lifting mechanismand one or more relatively large containers for receiving agriculturalproduce and which when empty can be stacked one in the other. Thelifting mechanism comprises a pair of parallelogram rod systems whichextend from either side of the trailer and are pivotable relativethereto. a shaft connecting the upper ends of the rod systems forsupporting engagement means adapted to connect to pins which extend fromthe upper rims of the containers whereby when such con nection is made asingle container or a plurality of stacked containers can be loaded orunloaded from the trailer or stacked containers on the trailer bypivoting the lifting mechanism, The engagement means may be selectivelyaffixed to its Supporting shaft for maintaining the containers at adesired inclination throughout the loading or unloading cycleirrespective of their center of gravity The containers may be providedwith a pouring spout and tipped by the lifting mechanism to causematerial therein to pour out of same 13 Claims, 18 Drawing FiguresPATENTEB SE? 1975 SL'iLE? l U? 8 PATENTEBSEP' 9:975 3,904,054

stem 2 UF 8 PATENTED SEP' 91975 SHEET U [1F 8 PATENTED 35? 91975 SHIN 5[IF 8 PATENTED SEP 9 5 SHIT 5 OF 8 PATENTEBSEP 9197:. 3,904,054

saw 7 or 8 PATENTEUSEP 91915 3,904,054

511m 8 o g TRAILERS This is a continuing application of application Ser.No. 301,799 filed Oct. 30, 1972 now abandoned, which is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 82,589 filed Oct. 21, 1970, now US. Pat. No.3,701,443 issued Oct. 31, I972.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a trailer fortransporting agricultural produce which comprises a mobile frame and alifting mechanism arranged on said frame which is adapted to load atleast one container or the like on the frame or to remove the same fromthe frame.

According to the invention, the combination of the trailer and thelifting mechanism comprises a pivotal axis about which the containerheld by the lifting mechanism can be pivoted relative to the frame. Thispermits emptying the container without the need for unloading thecontainer from the wagon or employing other mechanical discharging meanson the container or on the combination. Even separate discharging meanssuch as cranes with a gripper are not required.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the lifting mechanism andthe container are constructed so that with the aid of the liftingmechanism a plurality of containers can be nested. In this manner aplurality of empty containers, which do not occupy a great amount ofspace and do not require a large trailer, can be transported to thefield of the crop so that they can be distributed for being filled atthe most favorable locations. The lifting mechanism is constructed sothat it can perform all loading and unloading operations.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, reference is made by way of example to theaccompanying drawings, in which BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1shows a first embodiment of a container in accordance with the inventionin a perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a second container embodying the invention in a perspectiveview.

FIG. 3 shows a third container embodying the invention in a perspectiveview.

FIG: 4 is a side elevation of a container as shown in FIG. 1, includinga lid.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the container in FIG. 4, as seen in thedirection of the arrow V.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further container which in cludes, in part, alid.

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment ofa container in accordance with theinvention which includes a pivotable sidewall.

FIG. 8 shows a combination of a plurality of containers and anagricultural wagon provided with a hydraulic lifting device formed by aparallelogram-shaped rod system.

FIG. 9 illustrates a position of the combination of FIG. 8, in which acontainer is put on the ground or taken from the ground.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevation in partial section of the upper partof the parallelogram-shaped rod system with a container suspended to it,taken in the direction of the arrow x in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevation as seen in the direction of the arrowXI in FIG. I0.

FIG. 12 illustrates in fragmentary elevation a second embodiment inpartial section of the upper part of the lifting device as seen from thedirection of the arrow x in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation taken in the direction of thearrow XIII in FIG. I2.

FIG. 14 shows the container of FIG. 6 being emptied by means of thelifting device of the agricultural Wfif' n.

FIG. 15 shows the combination of a tank-shaped container and anagricultural wagon.

FIG. 16 shows the position of the combination of FIG. 15, in which thetank is placed on the ground.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a combination of containers of FIG. 3 andan agricultural wagon equipped with a second embodiment of the hydrauliclifting device.

FIG. 18 shows the combination of FIG. 17 with a container being placedon the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiment ofa containershown in FIG. 1 according to the invention comprises a flat bottom plate1 on which four sidewalls 2, 3, 4 and 5 are arranged, each beingprimarily formed by flat plates which do not extend perpendicularly fromthe bottom plate but rather diverge outwardly from same.

Inasmuch as with embodiments which have four sidewalls and a rectangulartop face with at least one sidewall extending outwardly and upwardly ina nonperpendicular manner relative to the bottom, the same can be nestedso that the bottom surfaces are substantially parallel to each other, itwill be understood that this is also possible with the container of FIG.I, which comprises four sidewalls which extend outwardly and upwardly ina non-perpendicular manner to the bottom surface (see FIG. 8).

When the containers are nested, the overall space occupied issubstantially smaller than the sum of the spaces occupied by theseparate containers.

The sidewalls 2 and 3 of the container of FIG. 1 have each an upper rimformed by two relatively bent linear portions, with a point 6 of thebend of the two portions being located at a higher level than thejunction 7 and 8 of such upper rims with the upper rims of the sidewalls4 and 5 adjacent thereto.

The junctions 8 of the bent upper rims are located at a higher levelabove the bottom surface than the junctions 7.

A container shown in FIG. I is suitable for conveying agriiculturalproduce, for example, from the field crop such as roots, cereals,potatoes and the like, in which case the container has to besufficiently large for transporting large quantities in one batch. Thecapacity of the container is preferably 2000 liters.

A plurality of containers can be transported simultaneously in nestedposition by an agricultural vehicle to the field. After the containershave been discharged, simultaneously or separately, they are filled andconveyed separately or with several of them together (not stacked up ofcourse) away by the vehicle. An important advantage of the nestedcontainers for agricultural produce in accordance with the inventionresides in that, when a plurality of nested containers are transportedby the vehicle to the field, the separate containers can be put on theground by the vehicle itself at different locations on the field. whichlocations may be chosen so that filling of the containers is completedwith a minimum of work, and a single run of the vehicle is all that maybe required for supplying all containers to the field.

The container shown in FIG. 1 is a stiffened by providing the sidewalls2, 3, 4 and 5 near their upper edge with a stiffening rim 9. On eitherside of the highest points 6 of the upper rims of each of the sidewalls2 and 3 the stiffening rim 9 is provided with two substantiallycylindrical, outwardly projecting lugs 10 and 11 respectively so thatthe center lines of the lugs 10 on sidewall 2 are substantially in linewith the lugs 11 on the sidewall 3.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment in which a flat bottom 12 joins acurved sidewall 13. In this embodiment the intersections of the sidewallwith a plane perpendicular to the bottom 12 are straight linesconverging towards the bottom. The sidwall is provided with a stiffeningrim 14 provided with lugs 15 and 16 respectively which are aligned asdescribed with reference lugs 10 and 11 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment in which a flat bot tom 17 joins foursidewalls which as in FIG. I are not at right angles to the bottom 17but extend outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The sidewalls are providedwith stiffening portions 18 which extend parallel to bottom 17. Suchsidewalls are formed by sheets rolled or impressed to each other at thecorners of the container and each is provided at their upper edges witha stiffening rim [9 and lugs 20 and 21, the center lines ofwhich arealigned.

In practice the contents of a container may be sensitive to moisture dueto rain or the like. In such case, it is desirable to protect thecontents. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a simple protection in the form of adetachable lid 22 formed by polyester sheets 23 arranged on a simplebeam grating (not shown).

It may be desirable to empty the container by causing the contents to,in effect, flow out of it, such as for example, when the containers arefilled with grain supplied from a combine harvester. It is thenadvantageous to provide the container with an outlet flow member. In thecontainer shown in FIG. 6, in which certain parts such as the bottom andsome walls are designated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1,the outlet flow member is formed by the three adjoining walls 24, 25 and26, which constitute together a spout. It is advantageous for the planeof the central wall 25 to be at a smallelr angle to the plane of thebottom plate than the planes of the further sidewalls an anglepreferably of about for example. When the container is emptied bytilting it in an inclined position, it is advantageous to have thepossibility of closing the upper side side of the parts of the containerlocated near the outlet 24, 25, 26 by a detachable lid 27. The lid 27 isprovided with a hatch 28 which is located near the upper edge of wall 25and is displacable substantially in the plane of lid 27 by means of arod system 29. This rod system 29 comprises a rod 31 which is adapted topivot about a pivotal rod 30 and is coupled with a rod 33 by means of apivotal shaft 32. Rod 33 in turn is pivoted to hatch 28 at the locationof pivotal shaft 34 on the hatch. By moving one end of rod 31 in thedirections of one of the arrows A and B of FIG. 6, hatch 28 can beopened or closed. FIG. 7 shows a container in which the outlet is formedby a sidewall 36 adapted to pviot about a piv otal shaft 35, extendingparallel to the bottom plate 1.

A latching member 37 being provided to lock sidewall 36 in position.

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of nested containers of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1. It will be apparent that the containers may be nested both on avehicle and in a storage area, the bottom surfaces being parallel toeach other. It is important that containers according to the inventionbe handled by a suitable trailer so that not only one container but alsoa plurality of nested containers together can be stowed and dischargedby the vehicle itself. A separate device for loading and unload ing onor from an agricultural vehicle is thus superfluous.

The combination of a container and a self-charging agricultural vehiclerequires the provision of at least one lifting device suitable for thecontainers on the vehicle for loading or unloading them separately or innested position. FIG. 8 shows a trailer, in this case a sin gle-axleagricultural vehicle or wagon 39 drawn by a tractor 38, the wagon beingloaded with a plurality of nested containers 40. Wagon 39 is equipped inthis embodiment with a hydraulic lifting device, which is formed by aparallelogram-shaped structure 41, one of which is located on eitherside of the wagon 39 directly opposite each other. The lower partthereof is formed by a plate 42, whereas the upper part is formed by abridge 43 and two parallel rods 44 and 45. These longitudinal rods 44and 45 are adapted to pivot about the pivotal shafts 46 and 47respectively with respect to the plates 42 and about the pivotal shafts48 and 49 respectively with respect to the bridge 43. The center linesof pivotal shafts 46, 47, 48 and 49 of each of the parallelogram-shapedstructures in either side of the wagon 39 are aligned with each other.At least one rod 44 has a prolongation 58 lying on the other side of thepivotal shaft 46. Plate 42 extends parallel to a substantiallyperpendicular plane and is fastened to the frame beam 50 of the wagon39. The line of connection between the pivotal shafts 46 and 47 extendsapproximately parallel to frame beam 50. The prolongation 58 is providedat its end with a pivotal shaft 51, about which the piston rod of ahydraulic cylinder 52 is adapted to pivot. This hydraulic cylinder 52 ispivoted by the other end to a bracket 53 fastened to the frame beam 50.

At the end of frame 50 a support 54 is pivotally connected with a footplate 55. Support 54 can be pivoted by means of a hydraulic cylinder 56.In the position shown in FIG. 8 the support 54 bears on the ground forpreventing unwanted jolts of wagon 39 during the loading and unloadingoperations. Hydraulic cylinders 52 and 56 are connected with a fieldpump and a controlmechanism on the tractor (not shown). FIG. 8 shows thesituation during the discharge of a container 57, while wagon 39 isstill loaded with a few nested containers.

By moving the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 52 inwardly, theupper end of the parallelogram structure 41 moves in the direction ofthe arrow C. The line of connection between pivotal shafts 48 and 49remains paarallel to the line of connection between pivotal shafts 46and 47. When container 57 is held with respect to the bridge 43 so thatit is not displaced with respect to pivotal shafts 48 and 49, the bottomsurface of the container remains substantially parallel to the framebeam 50 despite the fact that the center of gravity of the filled orempty container may not be located directly under bridge 43. It is thuspossible to nest containers so that the bottom surfaces aresubstantially parallel to each other. FIG. 9 shows the situation inwhich the container 57 is put on the ground.

FIG. 10 shows rods 45, pivotal shafts 48, 49 and bridges 43 of theparallelogram structures on either side of the wagon. The bridges 43 arerigidly interconnected by a distance tube 59 extending transversely ofthe direction of movement of the wagon. Distance tube 59 is surroundedby a supporting tube 60 which can be fixed in position relative to tube59 or, if desired, turned about tube 59. Supporting tube 60 can be fixedrelatively to tube 59 by means of two hydraulic cylinders 61 which arearranged in a substantially vertical position in distance tube 59 nearrods 44 and 45. Hydraulic cylinders 61 are fastened by their lower endsto the interior of distance tube 59, and piston rods 62 of thesehydraulic cylinders 61 project in corresponding openings 63 of the wallof distance tube 59. The wall of supporting tube 60 also has openings 64which register with openings 63 in a given position of supporting tube60 relative to distance tube 59. When in this position hydrauliccylinders 61 are energized, rods 62 move upwardly through openings 64 ofsupporting tube 60 so that tubes 59 and 60 are not turnable relative toeach other. This is illustrated in FIG. 11. Hydraulic cylinders 61 canbe governed by means of the controlmechanism on tractor 38. By means ofsuspending strips 65, fastened to supporting tube 60, horizontal pivotalshafts 66 extend substantially in the direction of movement of wagon 39and hold each a supporting plate 67. Supporting plates 67 extend, duringthe transport of a container, substantially at right angles to thecenter lines of pivotal shafts 46, 47, 48 and 49. Supporting plates 67have two openings 68 each, the size and relative distance of which aresuch that lugs 10 and 11, provided with shoulders 69 fastened to astiffening rim 9 of a container, can each pass without difficultythrough one of openings 68 of each supporting plate 67.

Stiffening rim 9 is provided on either side of the container at theplates of lugs 10 and 11 with a gutter 70, formed by a horizontal bottomplate 71, located beneath the lugs, and a rim 72 joining the bottom atright angles and extending in a vertical direction approximately up tothe center lines of lugs 10 and 11. The lower edge of supporting plate67 formed a straight line. Between supporting tube 60 and each ofsupporting plates 67, a hydraulic cylinder 73 crosses a pivotal shaft 66at right angles. Each such cylinder 73 is actuated from controls in thetractor.

When a container is lifted by the parallelogram structure 41 of theagricultural vehicle, the two parallelogram structures 41 are moved bymeans of hydraulic cylinder 52 so that the lower sides of supportingplates 67 are lowered between rims 72 of gutters 70 and shoulders 69into gutters 70 until they bear on bottom plates 71, while supportingplates 67 are slightly turned outwardly about pivotal shafts 66 byhydraulic cylinders 73. When then the tractor with the wagon 39 isslightly moved and the hydraulic cylinder 73 is energized, openings 68in supporting plates 67 snap around shoulders 69 and onto lugs 10 and11. Then hydraulic cylinder 62 is energized so that lugs 10 and 11 arereceived in openings 68 and the container can be lifted.

The container is removed from the parallelogram structures in theinverse order of operation.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the parts corresponding withthose of FIGS. 10 and 11 are designated by the same reference numerals.The construction shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is particularly suitable forlifting a plurality of containers together.

Supporting plates 74 are adapted to turn about pivotal shafts 66 andhave such a vertical length that they bridge stiffening rims 9 of aplurality of nested containers. Supporting plates 74 have a lowerbent-over rim 75 which includes for each plate 74 two pins 76 at rightangles to said rims 75. The corner between the supporting plate 74 andthe rim 75 accommodates throughout its length a bevelled lug 79 servingas a finder and for stiffening the corner.

The stiffening rim 9 of the containers is provided on the sides of thewalls 2 and 3 with strips 77 having an elongated slot 78. The length ofslot 78 is such that pins 76 can be received in the direction of lengthof the slot. The height of pins 76 is at least twice the height of strip77. In this construction supporting plates 74, turned outwardly byhydraulic cylinders 73, are lowered as far as possible around thecontacting stiffening rims 9. Then cylinders 73 are energized so that atthe position of lug 79 supporting plates 74 are pressed against thelower stiffening rims 9. By slightly moving the vehicle and byenergizing the hydraulic cylinders 52, pins 76 which are tapered in theupper ends snap into the slot 78 after which the nested containers canbe lifted.

If the center of gravity of the containers, viewed in the direction ofmovement, is not located substantially beneath bridge 43 and if thelifted containers tend to tilt relative to the supporting plate 74,while the tubes 59 and 60 are relatively fixed in position, one of theends of slot 78 is jammed at one of the pins 76 on either side of thecontainers.

FIG. 14 shows the situation in which the container is tilted. In thiscase the container has a partial lid 27 and a slide 28, shown in FIG. 6.The container is provided on either side near the outlet with a lug 80,about which a rod 81 is adapted to pivot on either side of thecontainer. The rod 81 is provided with an elongated slot 82 and ispivoted on the side remote from lug 80 to rod 44.

For lifting the container from the agricultural trailer 39, pins 62 arewithdrawn by means of hydraulic cylinders 61 from the recesses insupporting tube 60 (FIGS. 10 and 11), so that supporting tube 60 is ableto pivot about distance tube 59. When the container is lifted by thelifting device, it tends to tilt because its center of gravity usuallydoes not lie beneath the bridge 43. Rod 81 prevents unwanted swingingand controls the position of the container during its pivotal movement.The length of rod 81, the pivotal joint of rod 81 with the rod 44 andthe length of elongated slot 82 determine the desired tilting movementof the container. When the container has been swung into the desiredposition, for example, above a fortilizer 83, the distributor is filledby causing the fertilizer in the container to flow from the outlet byactuating the slide 28 with the aid of the rod 31 (FIG. 6).

FIGS. 15 and 26 show the unloading of a cylindrical tank 94 which isfilled with a substance such as, for example, liquid manure, the tank(FIG. 15) being received on trailer 39 and being held in positionthereon by means of the above-mentioned lifting mechanism 41. Thelifting mechanism 41 in this case is provided with supporting plates 67as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Two lugs 95 attached via brackets 96to each side of the tank are passed through openings 68 in this case.

By energizing the hydraulic cylinder 52, tank 94 may be unloaded andplaced on the ground (FIG. 16). Dun ing this movement supporting tube 60is secured relative to distance tube 59 by means of rod 62 (FIGS. 10 and11) in order to prevent movement by trailer 39. support 54 is extendedby energizing hydraulic cylinder 56.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show examples of handling the containers as shown inFIG. 3. The lifting device of wagon 39, driven by the hydraulic systemof the tractor 38, comprises two relatively pivotable arms 99 and 100,the arm 99 being pivoted to frame beam 50. The position of the pistonrod in a hydraulic cylinder 101 determines the angle between arm 99 andframe beam 50. The position of the piston rod is a hydraulic cylinderI02 determines the angle between the arm 99 and 100. At the end remotefrom the arm 99, arm 100 is provided with a hoisting tag I03 by whichthe container is lifted by lugs 20 and 21 respectively (FIG. 3). On theother side of wagon 39 a similar part of the lifting device is arrangedso that the pivotal shafts between arm 99 and frame beam 50 and thosebetween arms 99 and 100 are in line with each other. The ends of arms100 located near the hoisting tag 103 may be connected with each other,

When the piston rod of hydraulic cylinder 102 is moved outwardly byfluid pressure from the pump of tractor 38, arms 99 and are broughtapproximately in line with each other and the upper container is liftedout of the lower container. Then, by moving the piston rod of cylinderoutwardly, the lifted container is swung into a position as shown inFIG. 18, after which hoisting tag 103 can be removed from lug 20.

Agricultural containers according to the invention provide the importantadvantage that they can be stacked one in the other so that a pluralityof containers together can be stowed, transported and discharged.

The transport of containers in accordance with the invention requiresconsiderablly less labor because a plurality of containers can beconveyed at the same time. The loading capacity of an agriculturalvehicle is in this way considerably enhanced.

The combination of the container or containers according to theinvention and a trailer suitable for stowing, conveying and dischargingthe same provides a very effective working unit in which separateloading and discharging systems are superfluous and the stowing anddischarging of the containers are not bound to a given place. Moreover,the nested containers occupy a minimum storage space. In the method ofoperation thus rendered possible, an agricultural wagon provided with alifting device suitable for the containers can supply a plurality ofnested containers together and deposit the separate containers on thefield of the crop concerned at these spots which are most suitable forefficient filling of the containers and for loading the filledcontainers and conducting them away. When the loading surface of thewagon is sufficiently large, a plurality of filled containers can beconducted away together. The containers are preferably identical.

It should be noted that one or more sidewalls or the bottom of thecontainer may be formed by interrupted surface, for example, byparallel, spaced slats, by perforated sheets and the like, instead ofclosed sheet.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by letters patent of the US.

l. A trailer for transporting material in a container comprising amobile frame, a lifting mechanism mounted on said frame, a pair of rodsystems each hav ing at least two rods, each said rod system beingincluded in said lifting mechanism, one of each said rod systems beingpositioned on either side of said frame, each said rod being movable andcantable relative to said frame and comprising pivot means by which itis pivotally connected to said frame and to said container, said pivotmeans of each said rod system being located at the corners of aparallelogram, engagement means carried by the upper ends of each saidrod system for detachably connecting said lifting mechanism to saidcontainer, rotation of said container relative to said frame duringlifting of said container by said lifting means being prevented only byselectively operable portions of said engagement means, at least part ofsaid lifting mechanism being pivotable relative to said frame about anaxis of rotation transverse to the usual direction of travel of thetrailer, control means for canting said container and being selectivelyoperatively interconnected therewith, said control means being directlyconnected to one of said rods at a point between said pivot means ofsaid one rod of said rod systems whereby said container may upon beinglifted by said lifting mechanism be pivoted about said pivot meansrelative to said frame and canted relative to said frame in accordancewith said control means.

2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engagcment means isselectively locable to prevent rotation of said container relative tosaid frame when in a locked condition and to permit rotation of saidcontainer relative to said rod system when in an unlocked condition.

3. A trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engagement meanscomprises a pair of concentric tubes, a pin, aligned bores in said tubesfor receiving said pin, and hydraulic ram means connected to said pinfor retracting it from said bores.

4. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container comprisesextensions along at least part of its upper side, said extensions beingfitted to receive said engagement means.

5. A trailer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said extensions comprisehorizontal portions.

6. A trailer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said extensions are guttershaped.

7. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pouring spout is providedon said container for pouring material out of said container.

8. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of rod systems aretogether connected at the upper aspect of each said rod system by ahorizontal connecting member, said engagement means being carried bysaid connecting member.

9. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container includes adetachable lid and is adapted to be closed at least in part by saiddetachable lid.

10. A trailer as claimed in claim 9, wherein said lid is provided with aslidable hatch.

II. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said eontainer comprises aflat bottom and at least four side walls, at least one of which is notat right angles to said bottom surface.

12. A trailer as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of said sidewalls is removable at least in part from the adjoining walls.

13. A trailer as claimed in claim [2, wherein said side wall ispivotable.

a: :r m

1. A trailer for transporting material in a container comprising amobile frame, a lifting mechanism mounted on said frame, a pair of rodsystems each having at least two rods, each said rod system beingincluded in said lifting mechanism, one of each said rod systems beingpositioned on either side of said frame, each said rod being movable andcantable relative to said frame and comprising pivot means by which itis pivotally connected to said frame and to said container, said pivotmeans of each said rod system being located at the corners of aparallelogram, engagement means carried by the upper ends of each saidrod system for detachably connecting said lifting mechanism to saidcontainer, rotation of said container relative to said frame duringlifting of said container by said lifting means being prevented only byselectively operable portions of said engagement means, at least part ofsaid lifting mechanism being pivotable relative to said frame about anaxis of rotation transverse to the usual direction of travel of thetrailer, control means for canting said container and being selectivelyoperatively interconnected therewith, said control means being directlyconnected to one of said rods at a point between said pivot means ofsaid one rod of said rod systems whereby said container may upon beinglifted by said lifting mechanism be pivoted about said pivot meansrelative to said frame and canted relative to said frame in accordancewith said control means.
 2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid engagement means is selectively locable to prevent rotation of saidcontainer relative to said frame when in a locked condition and topermit rotation of said container relative to said rod system when in anunlocked condition.
 3. A trailer as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidengagement means comprises a pair of concentric tubes, a pin, alignedbores in said tubes for receiving said pin, and hydraulic ram meansconnected to said pin for retracting it from said bores.
 4. A trailer asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said container comprises extensions along atleast part of its upper side, said extensions being fitted to receivesaid engagement means.
 5. A trailer as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidextensions comprise horizontal poRtions.
 6. A trailer as claimed inclaim 4, wherein said extensions are gutter shaped.
 7. A trailer asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a pouring spout is provided on saidcontainer for pouring material out of said container.
 8. A trailer asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of rod systems are togetherconnected at the upper aspect of each said rod system by a horizontalconnecting member, said engagement means being carried by saidconnecting member.
 9. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcontainer includes a detachable lid and is adapted to be closed at leastin part by said detachable lid.
 10. A trailer as claimed in claim 9,wherein said lid is provided with a slidable hatch.
 11. A trailer asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said container comprises a flat bottom andat least four side walls, at least one of which is not at right anglesto said bottom surface.
 12. A trailer as claimed in claim 11, wherein atleast one of said side walls is removable at least in part from theadjoining walls.
 13. A trailer as claimed in claim 12, wherein said sidewall is pivotable.